Envelop-sealing machine.



D. G. SAUNDERS, JR. BNVELOP SEALING MACHINE.

AIPLICATION FILED NOV7, 1911. 1,1 1 9,451 Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

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WITNESSES: IIVVENTOR M 0. 6? Saunders Jr,

ATTORNEY IH! NOW/N5 P17: 1 1: 1mm 1 INN up-uranium D c D. G. SAUNDERS, JR. BNVELOP SEALING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7, 1911 Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

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z 5254: Afro/m5) D. G. SAUNDERS, JR. ENVELOP SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7. 1911.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

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INVENTOI? 0.6T Saunders Jr:

WIT/VESSZTWI 4 fa AT-TORAIEY IHl NUNNIS Pljh "m g D. G. SAUNDERS, JR.

ENVELOP SEALING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED NOV '1, 1911.

1,1 1 9,457. Patented Dec.1,1914.

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WITNESSES: IN VENTOR -)1 TTORNEY ing DANIEL G. SAUNDERS, JR., OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI- ENVELOP-SEALING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914..

Application filed November 7, 1911. Serial No. 658,961.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL G. SAmvnnns, J12, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelop Sealing Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to envelop sealing machines, and more particularly to a device of that class, into which envelops to be sealed may be fed singly, and which comprises mechanism for automatically spreadthe envelop flap, moistening the guirmed edge of the flap, pressingthe flap against the body of the envelop to effect the seal, and delivering the envelop with an address face uppermost.

Further than to provide details of structure for performing the above enumerated operations, it is an obiect of the present invention to provide a flap opening and moistening device which will spread the flap but a very short distance from the body of the envelop, to obviate wrinkling or uneven sealing of the flap.

It is also an object of the invention to provide mechanism for squeezing surplus water from the flap during the sealing process, to obviate undue moistening of the flap and envelop body, and thereby secure a better seal.

In accomplishing these objects I have provided the details of structure hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure I is a perspective view of an envelop sealing machine constructed according to my invention. Fig. II is a side view, and Fig. III a plan view of same. Fig. IV is a vertical section on the line IV-IV, Figw III, illustrating the inclined flap spreading and moistening disk. Fig. V is an enlarged detail view of one of the envelop delivering rollers and the turning fingers. Fi VI is a vertical section of part of the tank, on the line VI VI, Fig. II.

Referring more in detail to the parts :--v 1 designates a base, and 2a supporting at the top for receiving the envelops, the rail being coextensive with the outer face of the plate and extending downwardly at an incline on the inner face to provide a thin edge for fitting into the flap fold and a body for spreading a flapfrom the body of an envelop.

Revolubly mounted in inclined bearings 6 in opposite sides of frame 9. is a shaft 7,

the hearings in the side of the frame carry' ing the guide rail being lower than that in the opposite side in order that the shaft will ingline downwardly toward the guide rail s1 e.

Fixed onshaft 7 adjacent to the guide plate, is a disk 8, which is adapted to revolve within the frame tank in a plane oblique to the guide plate, the upper path of travel being within a recess 9 in the rail 4. One end of the shaft is projected beyond the frame and provided with a crank 10 by which it is revolved.

11 designates a standard, which is preferably mounted on a base standard 11', cast integral with the frame.

Standard 11 has a base shoulder 12 and a forwardly projecting bodv 13, both preferablv inclined to parallel the inclined disk 8.

Attached to bodv 13 bv screws 14 which pass freely through openings near its ends and thread into the body 13 is a frame 15, preferably of spring metal, the rear edge of which rests on the shoulder 12 and the forward edge of which has a curved lip 16 for guiding envelop flaps toward the disk. In the frame 15 is an opening 17. and in the rib portions 18 at the ends of the opening are bearing sockets 19. In the opening 17 is a roller 20, preferablv of rubber or the like, the shaft members 21 of which are located within the bearing sockets 19. The parts are so arranged that the roller is held yieldingly against the disk, to forward envelops placed between the disk and roller and simultaneously moisten the gummed part of the flap. The yieldability of the frame provides for the passage of envelop flaps of different thickness between the roller and disk, and the screw mounting affords adjustability of the roller frame to insure the proper forwarding of the envelop flaps.

Rigidly mounted on the forward end of frame 2 is a standard 22 having horizontal brackets 2323 provided with vertical bearings 2 f. Extending horizontally below bearings 24; is a shaft 25 which is revolubly mounted. in bearings in the frame and base standard 11, and has geared connection 26 with the shaft 7. Shaft 25 preferably extends through the front end of frame 2 to divide a mounting for an auxiliary part (not shown) of the machine, if desired.

On shaft 25 is a vertical beveled pinion 27 which meshes with a horizontal gear wheel 28 on a shaft 29, which revolves in the bracket bearings 24, and is supported on the lower bracket 23. On shaft 29 1s a vertical roller 30, having a rubber or like surface 31, the periphery of which is adapted to travel in a path closely adjacent to the extended plane of the guide plate 3.

32 designates a standard on a base 1 and 32 a post on said standard. Revolubly mounted on post 32 is a frame 33, comprising horizontal arms 34:, having. end mounting on the post, and a vertical brace 35. In the free ends of the arms 34: are slots 36, which open outwardly and are adapted to contain the. ends of a shaft 37, which carries a roller 38. similar to but smaller than the roller 30.

39 designates spring members, the rearward ends of which are mounted on the post 32 and the forward ends of which extend back of the brace 35 and forwardly past the ends of the roller shaft 37 to yieldin 'ly retain the roller in contact with the r0 ler 30,,

the brace being provided with lips 40. 01 supporting the spring members.

41 designates an arm on frame 1, and 412 a screw having threaded mounting in the arm and adapted to bear against. the brace 35 to tension same inwardly and adjust the space between the rollers 30 and 38 for envelope of different thicknesses.

The end of the upper spring 39 is preferably extended across the extended plane of the guide plate 3, to engage the upper edges of envelops and turn same so that when delivered from the machine they will fall with the front faces uppermost.

To assist the spring member 39 in turning the envelop I provide a member 4.3, preferably wire. which is mounted on the frame 2 and extends across the lower portion of the envelop path and turns the lower edges of the delivered envelops outwardly as the upper edges are turned inwardly by the spring member 39, thereby securing proper delivcry of the envelops. I also prefer to provide the machine with a guide 44, which is integral with standard 11, and curved toward the meeting plane of the rollers 30 and 38 to guide envelop flaps from the moistening' disk to said forwarding rollers. I also prea In using the machine, presuming the parts to be assembled as described and the tank to be filled with water to a level above the lower edge of the disk 8, an envelop is placed on the guide plate 3, with the rail 4 in the fold of the flap. The disk is revolved by means of the crank 10, and revolves the roller 20 through their frictional engagement, the revolution of the disk within the water in the frame tank wetting the entiredisk surface. With the-disk in revolution, the envelop is moved forwardly along the guide plate by hand until the flap is caught between the disk and roller, when it is pressed between these parts and forwardedthereby. While the envelop is being forwarded the roller presses the. gummed part of the flap against the wet disk, thoroughly moistening the gumand squeezing out the surplus waterso that the gum will adhere readily to the i envelop body, and ,toobviate soiling the,

contents ofv the envelop. After the flap is moistened the forward edge of the envelop is projected between the rollers 30 and 38.

which carry it forward and at the same timepress the flap on the body of the envelop so that the moisened gum will adhere to the envelop body and seal the flap thereto. The rollers then shoot the envelop forwardly to deliver it from the machine, the wires 39 and l3 engaging its upper and lower edges to turn'it so that it will fall with its ad dressed face uppermost.

It is apparent that the thin flap spreading rail will not open the flap more than is necessary to admit the moistening d sk, so that the flap may be pressed back without wrinkling. ops of different size and bulk may be run in the machine without adjusting any of the parts, although such parts may be adjusted to facilitate extended runs of envelops of different bulk.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1- 1. In an envelop sealing machine, a guide plate having a rail at one edge and having upper edge and having a recess in its face underlying the guide raiL. and a disk adapted for revoluble travel within the recess.

id' ln-an' envelop sealing machine a re-' It is also apparent that envell'll cessed guide plate having a substantially wedge shaped forward portion and an upper guide rail, a moistening disk set within the recess in the guide plate, and means for forwarding envelops over the disk.

t. In an envelop sealing machine, a guide plate having a free edge, a revoluble shaft arranged at an acute angle to the guide plate, and a moistener mounted on the shaft and extending at an angle to the free edge of the uide plate.

In an envelop sealing machine, a guide plate having a recessed rail, provided with a beveled edge, a shaft inclined downwardly toward the guide plate, an angularly disposed moistener mounted on the shaft and adapted for revolution partly within said recessed rail, and an inclined roller adjustably tensioned against the CllSlL 6. In an envelop sealing machine a guide plate having a beveled forward end and having a recess in its thicker portion, a disk revolubly mounted within said recess and adapted for revolution with its periphery inside of the thicker portion of the guide plate, and means for forwarding envelops along the disk.

7. In an envelop sealing machine, a guide plate having a beveled rail on its upper edge and having a recess adjacent the rail, a flat inclined disk adapted for revolution partly within said recess, an adjustable, inclined roller yieldingly tensioned against the disk, and sealing rolls adapted for receiving envelops from the disk and roller.

8. In an envelop sealing machine, a guide plate having a recessed rail, provided with a beveled edge, a shaft inclined downwardly toward the guide plate, a flat angularly disposed disk mounted on the shaft and adapt ed for revolution partly within said recessed rail, an inclined roller adjustably tensioned against the disk, and sealing rolls adapted for receiving envelops from the disk and roller.

9. In an envelop sealing machine, a guide plate having a recessed upper portion, a shaft inclined downwardly toward the guide plate, a flat angularly disposed disk fixed on said shaft and adapted for revolution partly within the recessed portion of the guide plate, a roller yieldingly tensioned toward the disk, and sealing mechanism adapted for receiving envelops from the guide plate.

10. An envelop sealing machine, comprising a guide plate, having a beveled edge rail and recessed upper portion, a flat angularly disposed disk adapted for revolution partly within said recessed portion, an iiiclined roller yieldinglj tensioned against the disk, and sealing rolls adapted for receiving envelops from the disk and roller.

11. An envelop sealing machine, comprising a water chamber, a guide plate at one side of said chamber, having a horizontal 12. In an envelop scaling machine. a rev oluble moistencr, a standard located adjacent the moistener, a frame mounted on said standard, con'iprising an apertured body of spring metal, the material at the end of the aperture being provided with hearing sock-' ets and the front edge of the frame being turned to form a receiving lip, means for tensioning said frame toward the disk, and a roller located within the frame aperture, and having shaft members mounted in said bearing sockets.

153. In an envelop sealing machine, a flat moistening disk adapted for revolution in an inclined plane, a standard adjacent said disk, a guiding lip on said standard, comprising an apertured body of spring metal having bearing sockets at the ends of the apertured part and having a turned up front edge forming a receiving lip, screws for tensioning said f 'ame toward the disk, and a roller located within the frame aperture and having shaft members mounted in said bearing sockets.

14:. In an envelop sealing machine, a guide platehaving a recessed beveled rail, a shaft inclined downwardly toward said guide plate, a flat sealing disk, mounted on said shaft and disposed at an angle to said 1 guide, said disk being adapted for revolution partly within said recessed rail, an adjustable roller tensioned against the disk, and sealing rolls for receiving envelops from the disk and roller.

15. In an envelop sealing machine, the combination with flap moistening mechanism, of a post adjacent to said mechanism, arms revolubly mounted on said post and having open slots in their free ends, a roller having shaft members revolubly mounted in said slots, springs for vieldingly retaining said shaft members within the slots, and a second roller adapted for cotiperation with the first named roller for the purpose set forth.

16. In an envelop sealing machine, the combination with a moistener and sealing rollers, of a yieldable member located at the rear of the sealing rollers and extending across the path of envelope delivered therefrom.

17. In an envelop sealing machine, the combination with a moistener and sealing rollers, of a yieldable member located at the rear of the sealing rollers and extending across the path of envelops delivered therefrom, and a yield-able member located above and crossing the plane of the first named member.

18. In an envelop sealing machine, the combination with a flap moistening mecha-, nism, of a permanently mounted roller forward of the moistening mechanism, a post adjacent to said roller, a frame comprising arms having ends revolubly mounted on said post and havingslots in their free ends opening away from said permanent roller, a roller mounted in said frame and having shaft ends revolubly mounted in said slots, and springs for .yieldingly tensioning said frame toward the permanent roller and retaining the shaft ends in said slots.

19. In an envelop sealing machine, the

combination with flap moistening disk and 15 sealing rollers, of members extendin at crossed angles across the path of enve lops delivered from the sealing rollers and adapted for turning the upper andlower edges of said envelops oppositely, for the 20 purpose set forth. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DANIEL G. SAUNDERS, JR. Witnesses:

MYRTLE M. JACKSON, ARTHUR W. CAPS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

